Recaps

Aokiji and his squad accepted a costly rescue mission in Wano Country, where they faced Dokai and his Susanoo. After returning with their teammates gravely injured, Aokiji and Tsunade were sent to Rōran to help Sunagakure capture Scorpion.

• Tsunade and Aokiji investigated the Sea Monster’s victims in Mouth Village, uncovered the chief’s deception, and learned that powerful interests had abused the villagers.
• Back in Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen formed a new squad led by Orochimaru with Aokiji, Tsunade, and Jiraiya, then sent them to escort Momonosuke in Wano Country.
• After Momonosuke was kidnapped, Aokiji agreed to a rescue mission for 100 million ryo, but the team discovered that the apparent prince and their mission had been part of a deception.
• Dokai revealed his Mangekyō Sharingan and Susanoo, defeated the squad, and forced Aokiji to face him after Aokiji’s Ghost Hand briefly froze the Susanoo.
• Aokiji and Tsunade brought Dokai down by trapping his real body in ice, but Dokai destroyed his own brain before Aokiji could question him, leaving Jiraiya and Orochimaru gravely injured.
• Elder Itachi discussed Madara and the Mangekyō with Aokiji, who refused to seek its power and received the Kusanagi Sword Enma.
• When Tsunade learned that Orochimaru and Jiraiya might not recover, Sarutobi Hiruzen sent her and Aokiji to help Sunagakure capture Scorpion in Rōran.
• Aokiji, Tsunade, Satou, and Hatake Sakumo reached prosperous Rōran, where their Sunagakure contact questioned Konoha’s choice to send such young shinobi.

Aokiji and Tsunade traveled through an altered future, where they changed Konoha’s course and grew closer before using the Dragon Veins to return. Tsunade woke with a changed appearance and new abilities, while Aokiji and the others returned to Konoha after leaving the weakened Dragon Veins untouched.

• Scorpion poisoned Aokiji during her attack in Rōran, but White Fang struck her down before she unleashed the Dragon Veins’ power.
• Tsunade carried Aokiji toward Tanzaku Town, where Rangiku saved him, and the young Tsunade and Aokiji reunited with their older selves.
• Older Tsunade revealed the Uchiha Clan’s future massacre, and Young Tsunade and Aokiji vowed to change history.
• Tsunade defeated Naruto’s challenge through Aokiji, returned with the group to Konoha, and persuaded Jiraiya to become Hokage.
• Young Tsunade treated Sasuke and Rock Lee, while Aokiji trained Naruto and helped him develop his Wind Release and Rasengan.
• Aokiji and Young Tsunade went on a date, shared their first kiss, and celebrated Aokiji’s birthday together.
• Aokiji and Young Tsunade killed Scorpion at the Dragon Veins anchor point and returned to their time, while Older Tsunade and Shizune remained behind.
• Tsunade woke with altered features and Sage Mode, then reunited with Aokiji as the group returned to Konoha and left the weakened Dragon Veins untouched.

Aokiji learned Sage Art, survived a disastrous mission, and escaped imprisonment with help from Tsunade and the Uchiha Clan. He partnered with Kakuzu to build a criminal business, began a relationship with Tsunade, and turned their kidnapping schemes into a profitable operation.

• Aokiji learned to activate the first stage of Sage Mode from Penguin Mani, then delivered Xu Fu Flower pills that helped Tsunade successfully treat Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
• Tsunade confessed her devotion to Aokiji, while Uchiha Madara decided to implant the Five-Tails in him and turn him against Konoha.
• During a mission escorting Jinyu and his eldest son, Kakuzu killed the defenders, and Aokiji surrendered before proposing that they work together to make money.
• Aokiji and Kakuzu robbed a castle, then planned to seize control of the Land of Bears by exploiting its political turmoil and its Star Meteorite.
• Sarutobi Hiruzen had Aokiji arrested after he abandoned the mission, but Mito and the Uchiha Clan helped secure his release from Hozuki Castle.
• Aokiji reunited with Tsunade, began dating her, and joined Kakuzu in forming Akatsuki to kidnap wealthy targets and collect ransoms.
• Aokiji and Tsunade shared affectionate dates, exchanged the nicknames Hime and White Horse, and agreed to marry when they grew up.
• Aokiji and Kakuzu recruited operatives and repeatedly kidnapped wealthy merchants’ wives for ransom, then Kakuzu killed two accomplices so they could claim the bounty placed on the kidnappers.

Aokiji ended his criminal enterprise, trained to strengthen his Sage Art and Ice Release, and mourned Elder Itachi while finding comfort in Tsunade. He developed new techniques with Orochimaru, who demonstrated the Rasengan to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

• Aokiji and Kakuzu grew their organization, then plotted to end it by exposing its location after Yoshimitsu challenged their share of the profits.
• Aokiji entered the second stage of Sage Art training with Penguin Mani and began developing stronger Ice Release techniques.
• Aokiji joined the operation against the Phantom Troupe, helped defeat Yoshimitsu and Xiaofu, and learned that the gang had been used by someone else.
• Aokiji sparred with Kakuzu, paid him to teach Earth Spear, and returned to Konoha to learn that Elder Itachi had died.
• Aokiji found Elder Itachi’s letter, grieved without awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, and resolved to gain power to protect what mattered to him.
• Tsunade comforted Aokiji, and he taught her Earth Spear before asking Orochimaru to stand watch while he spent time with her.
• Aokiji taught Orochimaru the Rasengan, and together they developed and named a tornado-shaped version Dragon Tornado.
• Orochimaru used the Rasengan against Sarutobi Hiruzen, who praised the technique and Aokiji’s talent.